Nursing Programs in Little Rock, AR

Baptist Health College Little Rock's Traditional Track in Nursing awards an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The curriculum builds a strong foundation in patient care, starting with Foundations in Nursing Care and progressing through Adult Nursing I, II, and III, along with specialized courses in Maternal & Newborn, Mental Health, and Children's Health. Pharmacology is integrated throughout, culminating in a Synthesis of Professional Nursing Concepts. Students benefit from a historic program established in 1921, with most instructional weeks scheduled over four days, allowing for focused study. The track offers two start dates annually in January and August, with rolling admissions. Graduates are equipped for diverse roles in inpatient, outpatient, clinic, and community settings, working alongside physicians and healthcare teams. The program emphasizes academic readiness, requiring completion of key general education courses like anatomy, microbiology, and English composition. With no minimum GPA requirement and multiple entry points, the Traditional Track provides an accessible pathway to a rewarding nursing career.

• ABHES, ASBN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS, ACT
• 18-Month program
• Rolling admissions
• 2 start dates per year
• Cohort-based structure
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• First nursing program at BHCLR since 1921

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at UA Little Rock provides a fast-track path to becoming a registered nurse. Students train in a state-of-the-art simulation hospital and high-tech lecture halls, then apply their skills through clinical rotations at leading healthcare facilities across central Arkansas. The curriculum covers essential nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes, preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Graduates launch careers in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community settings. The program also offers a seamless pathway to an online BSN, allowing working RNs to advance their education. With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world patient care, this associate degree program equips students with the confidence and competence to excel in the nursing profession.

• Complete in 18-months to two years
• 60 total credit hours
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts summer
• Prepares for NCLEX
• State-of-the-art simulation hospital
• Clinical rotations at top facilities
• NCLEX exam preparation
• Careers in hospitals and clinics
• Pathway to online BSN degree

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Student to BSN program offers a unique ladder pathway to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in four years. The first three years combine classroom, clinical, and simulation experiences in a state-of-the-art simulation hospital, covering nursing skills, med-surg, mental health, obstetrics, and pediatrics. After earning an AAS and becoming eligible for the NCLEX-RN, you'll complete an online final year focusing on leadership, research, ethics, economics, and wellness. This hybrid approach allows you to gain work experience as an RN while finishing your BSN, preparing you for career advancement or graduate school. The program's ladder structure provides a flexible path to nursing licensure and a bachelor's degree.

• 4-Year program
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• State-of-the-art simulation hospital
• Online final year for working RNs
• Hands-on clinical and simulation experiences
• Topics: leadership, research, ethics, economics, wellness
• Eligible for NCLEX-RN after year 3
• Prepares for career advancement or graduate school
• 34 upper-level nursing credits online

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Central Arkansas is designed to prepare students for professional nursing practice. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Students engage in a comprehensive curriculum that combines classroom instruction with clinical experiences, building skills in patient care, health assessment, and critical thinking. Located on campus in Conway, Arkansas, the program benefits from dedicated faculty and access to health sciences facilities. Graduates are equipped to pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. The BSN program serves as a foundation for advanced nursing education and lifelong learning in the healthcare field.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• Approved by Arkansas Board of Nursing

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with two distinct pathways to suit different academic backgrounds. The Traditional BSN, located on the Little Rock campus, is designed for students who have completed 58 semester hours of general education prerequisites. The Accelerated BSN, based at the Northwest Arkansas campus, is intended for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree. Both tracks prepare graduates to become licensed registered nurses. As a campus-based program, students benefit from hands-on learning within a leading academic health center. While specific curriculum details are available on linked pages, the program provides a comprehensive nursing education. Graduates are equipped for careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. UAMS also offers financial information and opportunities to request more details, supporting students throughout the application process.

• 2 concentration options
• Prerequisite courses required
• Traditional BSN track in Little Rock
• Accelerated BSN for degree-holders in NW Arkansas
• 58 prerequisite semester hours required
• Prior bachelor's degree for accelerated track
• Prepares for RN licensure